Sussex Circular - 1997 no 62

Magazine Overview

Title: SC
Issue: 62
Date: March 1997
Price: £1.00
Publisher: SC
Country: England
Language: English

This issue of SC, 'The Monthly Journal of Crop Circles and Beyond', delves into the early crop circle season of 1997 and provides a comprehensive review of the 1996 formations in Sussex. It also touches upon astronomical phenomena, particularly the comet Hale-Bopp, and includes a satirical piece on crop circle researchers.

News: Land's End... Season's Beginning?

This section reports on two unusual 'burnt' grass rings discovered near Land's End, Cornwall, on January 31st, 1997. The rings, measuring 37' and 27'8" respectively, appeared on a small farmstead. The grass within the rings was blackened and appeared burnt, while weeds growing amongst it were unaffected. The owner reported that his horses became distressed the night before the first ring appeared. A week later, a second, smaller ring appeared inside the first. West Country Television covered the story, mentioning reports of balls of light seen in the area. The Cornwall CCCS survey team noted similar dead grass effects elsewhere in the field. Dowsers suggested the rings were located at the crossing of two earth energy lines. The article notes similarities to other 'fairy rings' and mentions a similar ring found at The Lizard seven years prior, and thin rings in soil near Avebury in 1994, which preceded 'galaxy' formations.

Reports - The Sussex Crop Formations of 1996

This section, compiled by Andy Thomas and Barry Reynolds, provides a detailed look at the crop formations in East and West Sussex during 1996. The authors note that 1996 was a more subdued year compared to 1995, with only ten events recorded. The majority of configurations were simple, and most appeared within a two-week period at the end of July and beginning of August. This period coincided with a lack of availability among key investigation team members, leaving much of the surveying to a smaller group.

REF: Sussex 1996/02 - Beacon Hill, Ovingdean, East Sussex

Appeared on July 27th, 1996, this formation was a large circle with two small circular satellites and a heart-shaped grapeshot in wheat. It was surveyed by Nigel Tomsett & Debbie Pardoe. The formation was visible from the road, leading to visitor pathways being carved into it. Local residents reported no unusual activity, but Sussex Police later revealed reports of strange glowing lights over Ovingdean the night of its appearance. The formation had a clockwise swirl, and the large circle measured 85'7" in diameter.

REF: Sussex 1996/01 - Petworth, West Sussex

Appeared in early July 1996, this formation consisted of irregular shapes and squiggly lines in oats, surveyed by Keith Parker. It was located near Sussex 1996/03 and appeared to be laid down in swathes, suggesting more than wind damage. The upper parts of the shapes were not crop damage and appeared 'runic'.

REF: Sussex 1996/03 - Tillington, Petworth, West Sussex

This formation, a rectangular 'key' shape in wheat, appeared on August 1st, 1996. It was surveyed by Nigel Tomsett & Debbie Pardoe. It was located less than two miles from Sussex 1996/01 and was in a field bordered by cottages and a footpath. The field was harvested before a full survey could be completed.

REF: Sussex 1996/05 - Arlington, East Sussex

Spotted on July 31st, 1996, this formation consisted of five non-geometric areas of flattened crop in wheat, surveyed by Andy Thomas. It was located near Arlington reservoir and appeared to be related to earth energy lines and possibly interference from adjacent pylons. A massive ancient henge lies nearby.

REF: Sussex 1996/06 - Warningcamp Hill, Blakehurst, West Sussex

Appeared on August 4th, 1996, this was a dumbbell formation with a skewed pathway in barley, surveyed by Nigel Tomsett, Debbie Pardoe & Andy Thomas. It consisted of a large circle connected to a smaller one by a shaft. The formation lay on the same latitude as the Ovingdean formation and was near previous formations and ancient sites.

REF: Sussex 1996/04 - Mannings Heath, Horsham, West Sussex

This single ovular circle in Riband wheat appeared on July 31st, 1996. Surveyed by Nigel Tomsett, Debbie Pardoe & Andy Thomas, it was located in a very isolated field, only discovered due to aerial photography. The formation was the seventh of the season and appeared in the same spot as a 1995 formation.

REF: Sussex 1996/07 - Saltdean, East Sussex

This dumbbell formation with a skewed pathway in wheat appeared on August 7th, 1996. Surveyed by Nigel Tomsett, Debbie Pardoe, Gemma Pardoe & Andy Thomas, it was described as small and sweet, with a clockwise swirl and a smaller connected circle. It lay on the same latitude as the Ovingdean formation and was near previous formations.

REF: Sussex 1996/08 - Roedean, Ovingdean, East Sussex

Appeared on August 18th, 1996, this formation consisted of a circle, triangle, and two grapeshot in long-eared wheat, surveyed by Nigel Tomsett, Debbie Pardoe & Andy Thomas. The shapes were very small, and the field was being harvested when photos were taken.

REF: Sussex 1996/09 - Alfriston, East Sussex

This single circle formation was reported by an SC reader but was never substantiated or located. It appeared on August 10th, 1996.

REF: Sussex 1996/10 - Amberley, West Sussex

Appeared on September 7th, 1996, this was a circle and pathway formation in wheat. It was discovered approximately two weeks before being reported and was located near previous formations and ancient sites.

REF: Sussex 1996/01 Background - Petworth

This formation, appearing in early July 1996, consisted of irregular shapes and squiggly lines in oats. It was located near Sussex 1996/03 and appeared to be laid down in swathes, suggesting more than wind damage. The upper parts of the shapes were not crop damage and appeared 'runic'.

REF: Sussex 1996/02 Background - Ovingdean

This formation, a large circle with two small satellites and a heart-shaped grapeshot, appeared on July 27th, 1996. It was located on Beacon Hill and was surveyed by Nigel Tomsett & Debbie Pardoe. The formation had a clockwise swirl and was approximately 85'7" in diameter.

REF: Sussex 1996/03 Background - Tillington

This formation, a rectangular 'key' shape in wheat, appeared on August 1st, 1996. It was surveyed by Nigel Tomsett & Debbie Pardoe and was located less than two miles from Sussex 1996/01.

REF: Sussex 1996/05 Background - Arlington

Appeared on July 31st, 1996, this formation consisted of five non-geometric areas of flattened crop in wheat, surveyed by Andy Thomas. It was located near Arlington reservoir and appeared to be related to earth energy lines and possibly interference from adjacent pylons.

REF: Sussex 1996/06 Background - Warningcamp Hill

This dumbbell formation with a skewed pathway in barley appeared on August 4th, 1996. It was surveyed by Nigel Tomsett, Debbie Pardoe & Andy Thomas. It consisted of a large circle connected to a smaller one by a shaft. The formation lay on the same latitude as the Ovingdean formation and was near previous formations and ancient sites.

REF: Sussex 1996/04 Background - Mannings Heath

This single ovular circle in Riband wheat appeared on July 31st, 1996. Surveyed by Nigel Tomsett, Debbie Pardoe & Andy Thomas, it was located in a very isolated field, only discovered due to aerial photography.

REF: Sussex 1996/07 Background - Saltdean

This dumbbell formation with a skewed pathway in wheat appeared on August 7th, 1996. Surveyed by Nigel Tomsett, Debbie Pardoe, Gemma Pardoe & Andy Thomas, it was described as small and sweet, with a clockwise swirl and a smaller connected circle. It lay on the same latitude as the Ovingdean formation and was near previous formations.

REF: Sussex 1996/08 Background - Roedean

Appeared on August 18th, 1996, this formation consisted of a circle, triangle, and two grapeshot in long-eared wheat, surveyed by Nigel Tomsett, Debbie Pardoe & Andy Thomas. The shapes were very small, and the field was being harvested when photos were taken.

REF: Sussex 1996/10 Background - Amberley

Appeared on September 7th, 1996, this was a circle and pathway formation in wheat. It was discovered approximately two weeks before being reported and was located near previous formations and ancient sites.

Comet Hale-Bopp and Astronomical Evidence

The issue highlights the excitement surrounding the comet Hale-Bopp, noting its unusual mass and apparent course corrections. It also presents evidence from astro-physicist Jazz Rasool, who suggests that the Longwood Warren crop formation of 1995 accurately represents the position of planets in the asteroid belt on the day the comet formed. This is presented as potential astronomical evidence related to the comet.

The Sussex Cerealogical Bonanza II

An upcoming event, 'The Sussex Cerealogical Bonanza II', is announced for April 26th. Tickets are £15 and bookings can be made via mail or phone. The event is expected to be popular, with limited numbers available.

'Cornography' with Michael Glickman

This satirical column features a humorous dialogue between Carl Sagan and Dave Chorley, set in an afterlife scenario. Sagan regrets being taken in by what he now considers 'flaky' CSICOP members and a 'cheesy' Amazing Randi. Chorley admits to being part of a crop circle hoax with 'Doug'. The column satirizes the crop circle phenomenon and the personalities involved, concluding with humorous 'judgments' for their next incarnations: Sagan as Chairman of the CCCS and Chorley as Editor of SC.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently reports on crop circle formations, particularly those in Sussex, providing detailed surveys and photographic evidence. There is a clear interest in the paranormal and unexplained, with UFO sightings and astronomical phenomena being regular topics. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, while also acknowledging skepticism and the need for factual reporting. The satirical 'Cornography' column suggests a willingness to engage with the lighter, and sometimes critical, aspects of the crop circle community.